According to reports, on January 25th, General Motors and Honda announced that their joint venture has started producing fuel cell power systems at a factory near Detroit.

　　Image source: Honda Motor

　　It is reported that the initial production of fuel cell power devices on both sides will be relatively small. On January 24th, Honda executive Jay Joseph stated at an event that Honda's goal is to deliver 2000 fuel cell power units annually by around 2025.

　　Honda will use fuel cells in a version of its SUV model CR-V, which will be launched in March this year. Joseph stated that fuel cells will also be applied to other products such as fixed generators. In addition, Honda has collaborated with Japanese truck manufacturer Isuzu to develop a hydrogen fuel Class 8 half truck.

　　General Motors previously announced plans to supply fuel cell systems to commercial truck manufacturer Autocar and heavy mining and construction equipment manufacturer Komatsu, and sell fuel cells under the Hydrotec brand.

　　For nearly 60 years, General Motors has been committed to using fuel cells as a substitute for internal combustion engines. General Motors CEO Mary Barra stated in 2021 that the company is developing a mid size commercial truck powered by fuel cells. However, on January 24th, Charlie Freese, Executive Director of Global Hydrotec, a subsidiary of General Motors, refused to discuss production targets or start times for General Motors fuel cell trucks.

　　Automakers such as Hyundai, Toyota, Stellantis, Daimler Trucks, and American startup Nikola are pushing for the development of commercially viable fuel cell technologies to replace diesel engines. However, despite government subsidies and incentives, fuel cell technology has not yet achieved breakthroughs due to high system costs and a lack of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

　　This article is reprinted from Gaishi Automotive Information Network